This week on the Driven by DCKAP podcast, we’re joined by Clint Oram - Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SugarCRM. He sits down with our host, Karthik Chidambaram, to discuss the significance of CRM systems, how to increase sales, the effectiveness of data analysis, how emerging technologies will impact the future, and more.

Clint has over 20 years of experience in the enterprise software industry, with over 15 years designing and building award-winning CRM software solutions. As one of the original architects and developers, he helped found SugarCRM in 2004, going on to work in a variety of executive roles, and today he leads strategy and acquisitions. His invaluable insights shared in this interview provide a key understanding of how strategy and effective leadership greatly contribute to a company’s growth and success.

Joining the Driven by DCKAP podcast this week is Frank Heenan - Group Vice President, Distribution and LBM at Epicor - to talk about the evolution of ERP systems, the importance of using tools like this to their full extent to grow your business, the role of AI within distribution, some of the best strategies to ensure success, how to best execute those strategies, and much more.

With over 25 years of experience working with Epicor and within distribution, Frank has seen the ups and downs of the industry. Having been at the company from its early days of growth to where it stands today as a leader in enterprise resource planning, manufacturing execution system, and distribution software, he has invaluable insights to share on what it takes to lead the industry forward. Tune in and enjoy!

On this extra special episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, our host Karthik Chidambaram sits down with Robert C. Wolcott - Co-Founder of TWIN Global, adjunct professor and esteemed author - to discuss his latest book, “Proximity: How Coming Breakthroughs in Just-in-Time Transform Business, Society, and Daily Life” which explores the radical shifts in production and service delivery driven by AI, 3D printing, and more.

From his background as an entrepreneur to some of the most impactful moments in his spanning career, Robert shares what led him to write his latest book, and why it’s so vital for businesses across industries to recognize the transformative effects of burgeoning technologies and how it impacts the future. You won’t want to miss this episode!

On this episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, Derrick Murdock, CEO at IPS Packaging joins our host, Karthik Chidambaram, to discuss their strategy in distribution, why it’s important to hire and support veterans, why veterans make amazing employees, how innovation in B2B marketing leads to even greater success, and more.

IPS Packaging & Automation is one of the leaders in industrial packaging, and they have been in business for over 45 years. IPS Packaging is also service-disabled veteran owned, and Derrick is uniquely suited to advocate on behalf of veterans with his background in the military. Alongside the innovative practices that they are executing in B2B marketing and the strategy they hold for the future, this conversation highlights some of the best practices in the industry.

Veterans Resource mentioned - https://upstatewarriorsolution.org/

Anne Vranicic, the President of Valin Corporation, joins the Driven by DCKAP podcast this week to speak with Karthik Chidambaram about her 22 year journey with Valin, what she’s learned during her time at the company, how the company navigated the dot com crisis, their strategy with mergers and acquisitions over the years, what they’re doing to stay ahead of the curve in digital transformation, and much more.

With her extensive experience having worked at all levels in distribution, as well as her driving passion for the industry, Anne has taken the reins to help guide the company even further into the future as technology continues to rapidly advance, and to further Valin’s long standing reputation as the leading provider of technical solutions for the technology, energy, life sciences, natural resources, and transportation industries.

In the latest episode of the Driven by DCKAP podcast, Karthik speaks with Scott Sinning, the Founder and CEO of Pricing for Distributors. Scott was formerly the VP of Pricing Strategy at Graybar Electric, has over 30 years of experience working in wholesale distribution, and he is a frequent speaker and writer on distributor industry pricing topics.

During this in depth conversation, Karthik and Scott explore the difficult topic of pricing in distribution, where we learn about the importance of cultivating an effective pricing strategy, how to improve sales and increase the bottom line, and much more.

With its ability to analyze vast amounts of data and identify important trends and patterns, to allow the most informed decisions and personalize the customer experience, artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the entire B2B sales process, making it more efficient and effective, leading to increased sales and profits.

Innovation greatly drives success in today’s business world, and the use of AI is revolutionizing the way companies approach distribution. In this episode of Driven by DCKAP, Karthik is joined by Mike Marks, Founding Partner of Indian River Consulting Group, Senior Research Fellow at NAW, and faculty member at Purdue's University of Innovative Distribution. Their engaging conversation spans the topics of transformative AI innovations, how AI can help increase sales opportunities, where distributors should invest in the future, and much more.

In the latest episode of Driven by DCKAP, Karthik is joined by Mark Dancer, CEO at Network for Business Innovation and a distinguished NAW Fellow. They discuss Mark’s background, including his influence through Mark Dancer on Flourishing Business, his partnership with NAW, his vision for Innovate to Dominate, the process of writing, how to gain influence, and the growing need for innovation in distribution.

Tune in to gain valuable insights on the importance of innovation as a tool for growth, the impact of influential writing and more.